Political values in Europe-China relations

Foreign policy, Security and Defence

Date:Thursday, 06 December 201816:00 - 18:00

Venue: BRUEGEL, RUE DE LA CHARITÉ 33, 1210 BRUSSELS

Political values have long informed the ways in which many European states and the EU itself approach China. But the way in which these values – in particular democracy, human rights and the rule of law – have been promoted, and even at times defined, differs greatly across the continent and has shifted over time. For many across Europe, hopes that that a deepening “constructive engagement” with China would ultimately lead to political reform and liberalization within the Chinese political system have been dashed by Beijing’s recent authoritarian turn. As China’s influence continues to grow across the globe, some have even looked to China for inspiration or support in their own shifts toward more authoritarian rule. Europe is not immune to these changes. Within this context, the members of the European Think-tank Network on China (ETNC) have assembled analysis from China experts in 17 European countries in a major new report analyzing the role that political values play in Europe-China relations today. This event will present and discuss the findings of this report for the first time to the public.

Programme

16:00 Opening remarks (Thomas Renard, Egmont)

16:05 The European Think-tank Network on China and its approach to study Europe-China relations